The term "vainly" is often associated with actions or thoughts that are futile, empty, or lacking in purpose and substance. In the biblical context, it is frequently used to describe actions or beliefs that are devoid of true spiritual value or that fail to honor God appropriately. The concept of vanity is closely related, often referring to the emptiness or futility of human endeavors apart from God.

Old Testament Usage

In the Old Testament, the idea of vanity is prevalent, particularly in the wisdom literature. The Hebrew word "hebel," often translated as "vanity," appears frequently in the book of Ecclesiastes. Ecclesiastes 1:2 states, "Futility of futilities, says the Teacher, futility of futilities! Everything is futile!" This reflects the theme that human efforts and pursuits, when conducted apart from a relationship with God, are ultimately meaningless.

The Ten Commandments also address the concept of vanity in the context of using God's name. Exodus 20:7 commands, "You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not leave anyone unpunished who takes His name in vain." This commandment underscores the importance of reverence for God and the seriousness of using His name with respect and purpose.

New Testament Usage

In the New Testament, the Greek word "kenos" is often used to convey the idea of vanity or emptiness. The Apostle Paul warns against vain practices and beliefs that detract from the truth of the Gospel. In 1 Corinthians 15:14 , Paul writes, "And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is worthless, and so is your faith." Here, "worthless" is synonymous with "vain," emphasizing that without the resurrection of Christ, Christian faith and preaching would be empty and without foundation.

Paul also cautions against being led astray by empty philosophies. In Colossians 2:8 , he advises, "See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, which are based on human tradition and the spiritual forces of the world rather than on Christ." This warning highlights the danger of being swayed by teachings that lack true spiritual substance.

Theological Implications

Theologically, the concept of vanity serves as a reminder of the limitations of human wisdom and the futility of life apart from God. It calls believers to seek purpose and meaning through a relationship with God and adherence to His will. The Bible consistently contrasts the emptiness of worldly pursuits with the fullness of life found in Christ.

Practical Application

For believers, the admonition against living vainly encourages a life of purpose, rooted in the knowledge and service of God. It challenges Christians to evaluate their actions, words, and thoughts to ensure they align with God's truth and bring glory to Him. The call to avoid vanity is a call to live authentically and meaningfully, with an eternal perspective that values the things of God above the transient offerings of the world.(adv.) In a vain manner; in vain.1500. eike -- without cause or reason, vainly
... without cause or reason, vainly. Part of Speech: Adverb Transliteration: eike Phonetic
Spelling: (i-kay') Short Definition: without purpose, in vain Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1500.htm - 7k

2761. kenos -- in vain
... in vain. Adverb from kenos; vainly, ie To no purpose -- in vain. see GREEK kenos.
(kenos) -- 1 Occurrence. 2760, 2761. kenos. 2762 . Strong's Numbers.
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2761.htm - 6k

2755. kenodoxos -- vainglorious
... conceited, boastful. From kenos and doxa; vainly glorifying, ie Self-conceited --
desirous of vain-glory. see GREEK kenos. see GREEK doxa. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2755.htm - 7k

7387. reqam -- emptily, vainly
... 7386, 7387. reqam. 7388 . emptily, vainly. Transliteration: reqam Phonetic
Spelling: (ray-kawm') Short Definition: empty-handed. ...
/hebrew/7387.htm - 6k

1891. habal -- to act emptily, become vain
... hebel Definition to act emptily, become vain NASB Word Usage act foolishly (1),
became empty (1), became vain (1), leading you into futility (1), vainly hope (1 ...
/hebrew/1891.htm - 6k

1892. hebel -- vapor, breath
... 1), emptiness (2), fleeting (2), fraud (1), futile (1), futility (13), idols (7),
mere breath (2), nothing (1), useless (1), vain (3), vainly (1), vanity (19 ...
/hebrew/1892.htm - 6k

He Vainly Thinks that the Doubt About the Energies is to be Solved ...
... Book I. Section 29. He vainly thinks that the doubt about the energies is to be
solved by the beings, and reversely. Now let us see what comes next. ...
/.../gregory/gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/section 29 he vainly thinks.htm

God, Although Incomprehensible, is ever to be Sought. The Traces ...
... Book XV. Chapter 2."God, Although Incomprehensible, is Ever to Be Sought. The
Traces of the Trinity are Not Vainly Sought in the Creature. ...
/.../augustine/on the holy trinity/chapter 2 god although incomprehensible is.htm

Of his Own Will a Man Forsakes God, So that He is Deservedly ...
... For to Him it is not said in vain, "O God, Thou shalt turn again and quicken us;"
[3579] it is not vainly said, "Give not my foot to be moved;" [3580] it is ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 12 of his own will.htm

Colossians ii. 16-19
... Let no man rob you of your prize by a voluntary humility and worshiping of the Angels,
dwelling in the things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his ...
/.../homily vii colossians ii 16-19.htm

At Masaarah
... the sunsets more disheartening. Vainly she summoned pride to her aid; vainly
she exhorted herself to consistency. "How long," she ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xviii at masaarah.htm

The Legend of La Brea {331A}
... Watching vainly for the flashing Of the jewelled colibris; {331c} Listening
vainly for their humming Round the honey-blossomed trees. ...
/.../kingsley/andromeda and other poems/the legend of la brea.htm

Further Proofs of the Same Truth in the Same Chapter, from the ...
... "Be strong, ye weak hands, and ye feeble knees:" [3763] this refers to the palsy.
"Be strong; fear not." [3764] Be strong is not vainly repeated, nor is fear ...
/.../tertullian/the five books against marcion/chapter x further proofs of the.htm

Letter Xliii. To Marcella.
... done the like? Why, we yawn if we read for over an hour; we rub our foreheads
and vainly try to suppress our languor. And then, after ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter xliii to marcella.htm

The Gathering of the Church
... Wherefore shrink, and say, ''Tis vain; In their hour hell-powers must reign;
Vainly, vainly would we force. Fatal error's torrent course; ...
/.../palgrave/the treasury of sacred song/cccxxiv the gathering of the.htm

R. Heber
... Myrrh from the forest, or gold from the mine? Vainly we offer each ample
oblation; Vainly with gifts would His favour secure: Richer ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/palgrave/the treasury of sacred song/ccxlvi r heber.htm

Vainly (4 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (adv.) In a vain manner; in vain. Multi-Version
Concordance Vainly (4 Occurrences). Colossians 2:18 Let ...
/v/vainly.htm - 7k

Vain-talkers (1 Occurrence)
Vain-talkers. Vainly, Vain-talkers. Vain-words . Multi-Version Concordance
Vain-talkers (1 Occurrence). ... Vainly, Vain-talkers. Vain-words . Reference Bible
/v/vain-talkers.htm - 6k

Voluntary (17 Occurrences)
... 2:18 Let no one rob you of your prize by a voluntary humility and worshipping of
the angels, dwelling in the things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by ...
/v/voluntary.htm - 14k

Vain-glory (3 Occurrences)
Vain-glory. Vainglory, Vain-glory. Vainly . Multi-Version Concordance
Vain-glory (3 Occurrences). ... (DBY). Vainglory, Vain-glory. Vainly . Reference
/v/vain-glory.htm - 7k

Notions (6 Occurrences)
... you of your prize, delighting in humble-mindedness and 'in' worship of the messengers,
intruding into the things he hath not seen, being vainly puffed up by ...
/n/notions.htm - 8k

Ono (5 Occurrences)
... In one of the villages in the plain of Ono, Sanballat and his friends vainly tried
to inveigle Nehemiah into a conference (6:2). It is represented by the ...
/o/ono.htm - 9k

Worshipping (49 Occurrences)
... 2:18 Let no one rob you of your prize by a voluntary humility and worshipping of
the angels, dwelling in the things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by ...
/w/worshipping.htm - 22k

Waste (668 Occurrences)
... v.) To spend unnecessarily or carelessly; to employ prodigally; to expend without
valuable result; to apply to useless purposes; to lavish vainly; to squander ...
/w/waste.htm - 37k

Idly (4 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (adv.) In a idle manner; ineffectually; vainly; lazily;
carelessly; (Obs.) foolishly. Multi-Version Concordance Idly (4 Occurrences). ...
/i/idly.htm - 7k

Fleshly (15 Occurrences)
... 2:18 Let no one rob you of your prize by a voluntary humility and worshipping of
the angels, dwelling in the things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by ...
/f/fleshly.htm - 11k

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